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4 (Continued from page 3) • Time it takes to find missing people with Project Lifesaver average 30 minutes — 95% less time than without. • Project Lifesaver has a 100% find rate. Project Lifesaver does not replace the position of a caregiver, but it is a tool that can save lives and reduce stress felt by family members. There is a start-up fee to join the program as well as a monthly cost to maintain the equipment.” 3) The Seniors Helpers website wrote a great blog on how AI can improve the lives of the elderly (link below) https://www.seniorhelpers.ca/blog/how-ai-technologycan-improve-the-lives-of-the-elderly “Artificial intelligence (AI) technology holds great potential for enhancing the lives of elderly individuals. With an aging population, AI-driven solutions offer opportunities to address challenges and improve the wellbeing of seniors. In this blog post, we will explore some ways in which new AI technology can support the elderly today and in the near future. Better Health Monitoring and Personalized Care AI can revolutionize healthcare for the elderly by providing efficient and personalized monitoring and care. Wearable devices with AI algorithms can continuously track vital signs and detect abnormalities, alerting caregivers or medical professionals in real-time. This technology acts as an early warning system for potential health issues, allowing for prompt interventions and reducing the risk of adverse events. AI-powered virtual assistants can remind seniors to take medications, schedule appointments, and offer helpful advice on managing chronic conditions. Enabling Independent Living Maintaining independence is crucial for seniors, and AI technology can play a significant role in supporting their autonomy. Smart home systems integrated with AI can adapt to seniors' daily routines and preferences. Voiceactivated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant can assist with various tasks such as turning on lights, adjusting room temperature, or ordering groceries. AI-powered home monitoring systems can ensure safety by detecting falls or accidents and notifying emergency services if needed. These advancements empower seniors to comfortably age in place while providing an added layer of security. Cognitive Assistance and Social Engagement Memory loss and cognitive decline are common challenges among older adults. AI applications can assist with cognitive support, memory enhancement, and mental stimulation. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies offer immersive experiences that can improve cognitive function and memory recall. AI chatbots and virtual companions provide companionship, engage in conversations, and play cognitive games to stimulate mental agility. Additionally, AI-driven social robots can alleviate loneliness and isolation among seniors by offering companionship, reminding them of medication schedules, and facilitating communication with loved ones through video calls. Age-Friendly Transportation and Mobility Solutions Maintaining mobility is essential for an active lifestyle and independence. AI technology can enhance transportation options for the elderly, ensuring safer and more accessible journeys. Self-driving cars equipped with AI systems can help seniors travel independently, especially those who are unable to drive due to physical limitations or cognitive impairments. These vehicles can adapt to the needs of older adults, providing personalized assistance and reducing reliance on public transportation. AI-powered navigation apps can also offer real-time guidance, considering factors such as mobility limitations, traffic conditions, and accessibility, to make commuting easier and more efficient. Integrating AI technology into the lives of the elderly presents a transformative opportunity to address their unique challenges. By harnessing the power of AI, we can improve health monitoring, promote independent living, provide cognitive assistance, foster social engagement, and enhance transportation and mobility options. As AI continues to advance, its potential to positively impact the lives of the elderly will grow, enabling them to age gracefully, maintain their dignity, and experience a higher quality of life. It is important to embrace these innovations and ensure their accessibility to all seniors to build a future where technology empowers and supports every generation.” Your GWSA Board is committed to keeping you informed through a number of ways and means, including email updates, meeting minutes, our GWSA website, the Sentinel, and our wonderful Welcome Desk, to name a few. We encourage your respectful feedback and ideas to keep us all moving forward and making our GWSA intentional, effective and engaging!! Enjoy your April! Stay safe and informed! Till next time! Donna Keating Vice Chair/Vice President Guelph Wellington Seniors Association (GWSA) donna.keating@gwsa-guelph.ca The Sentinel - April 2024 — Vol. 48, No. 8
5 THE EDITOR’S PAGE by Linda Green Earth Day 2024: How to Celebrate Earth Day Celebrated every year on April 22, Earth Day is the largest environmental event in the world. More than six million Canadians - including nearly every school-aged child - participate in an Earth Day activity in their communities. Hundreds of organizations across the country engage Canadians in annual celebrations of this special day. Founded in 1990, Earth Day Canada is a national environmental charity. Free, year-round, award-winning programs are available to educate and inspire Canadians of all ages. Here are some ideas to inspire you this year. Support Our Pollinators! Bring native bees and other pollinating creatures to your garden. One way to do this is by selecting the right plants this season with pollinator-friendly plants. Plant a Tree! We love our trees! They capture carbon, cool overheated places, benefit agriculture, support pollinators, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and boost local economies. Did you know that planting one oak tree brings in more insect and bird species than an entire yard of plants? Talk to your local government about planting more trees and native garden beds in public spaces, or consider planting your own on your property! Use Wildflowers and Native Plants Wildflowers and indigenous species are not only beautiful but also attract native and beneficial insects that improve both pest control and pollination, meaning bigger flowers and better harvests. Try to simply add a couple of native plants to your garden each year, and you’ll be amazed at the difference - they’ll bring in pollinators as well as birds! Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in the Garden Caring about yourself and nature means being less wasteful and saving money, too. Who could argue with this? If you are a gardener, here’s an idea: Buy in bulk when you know that you’ll need a lot of topsoil, mulch, compost, or other materials. This cuts down on plastic bags. Many garden centres will even deliver right to your yard. Special Printing For Members Do you have a need for printing (i.e., bookmarks, booklets, calendars, dinner menus/programs, club bylaws, annual reports), large or small quantities, black & white print (10¢ per page) or colour (30¢ per page)? If so, please contact Carol Croft or Linda Green, either in the Sentinel office (we’re not here all the time, though) or by email at sentinel@gwsaguelph.ca, or leave a message at the front desk. You must be a GWSA member to take advantage of this. We will try to accommodate you with your project as much as we can. Personal Donations Online donations to the GWSA are done through Canada Helps. Canada Helps is a registered Canadian charity and non-profit social enterprise. Visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ guelphwellington-seniors-association/ to access Canada Helps. Their mission is to increase charitable giving, and it’s critical that they pass along as much as possible out of every dollar they collect. You receive a tax receipt for 100% of the value of your donation. April 5, 2024, is the deadline for submissions for the May Sentinel. Email submissions to: sentinel@gwsa-guelph.ca or drop yours off at the Evergreen Front Desk. Distribution of the May issue is on April 25, 2024. Editor is not responsible for quality of submitted photos (but we’ll do our best). The Sentinel - April 2024
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